Healthy & Delicious Recipes for a Picnic in the Park

Take advantage of the long summer days by planning a picnic at Lake Sammamish State Park! There is nothing like eating outdoors surrounded by nature that makes food taste more delicious. Here are a few healthy recipes for your summer picnic.

Classic Roast Chicken

A roast chicken is perfect for a picnic and much healthier than fried chicken. It also more convenient if you don’t have a grill or aren’t allow to use one at a park. You need to be careful with serving chicken, make sure you check thetemperature is safe before you eat.You could provide whole wheat pitas, hummus and salad or a zesty mango salsa salad.

Everyone Loves Pinwheels

These are healthy, super convenient and can be adapted to any tastes. The steps are simple, spread your desired topping on a tortilla, layer your sauce and veggies, roll up tight and cut into bite sized pieces. For a healthy family favorite, trysun-dried tomato and basil pinwheels

Easy Peasy Energy Bites

No bake energy bites are an absolutely perfect picnic snack, especially if you’re planning on swimming, throwing a frisbee, or climbing on the playground equipment in the park. They are easy to transport and don’t need to be refrigerated, so you don’t need to worry about your snacks melting.

The flavors of cranberry, orange & maple are refreshing and delicious on a hot summer day. The parfaits are conveniently divided in mason jars so you can put them straight into your cooler. To prepare them all you need to do is add your fruit, then some mix ins like nut, dried fruit and seeds then another layer of fruit, top with yoghurt and your good to go. These parfaits travel really well, just make sure you have a ice to keep them cool.

.Switch it Up with Edamame

Instead of cheese and biscuits, try the salty snack, edamame. This little soybean is a huge source of protein which helps you feel fuller for longer. You can buy edamame beans already shelled, for picnic purposes, it's probably best to go with the variety still encased in their pods for portability -- think of it as a convenient, built-in food delivery device. Bags of frozen edamame pods are available in the freezer section of most grocery stores near other vegetables, and cooking them is a breeze. Just drop the desired amount into boiling water for five minutes or so, drain, and cool.

Hummus with Pita & Veggies.

Forget the salty chips and treat everyone to a Mediterranean classic. You can easily whip up a batch of hummus or pick up some at the grocery store. If you make it at home, you have the option to add in flavour. You could try black olive and feta hummus or roasted garlic hummus.

Tropical Passion Punch

Leave the pre-packaged sugar filled juices at the grocery store and make your own. Not only is it much cheaper you know exactly what is in there. All you need for this punch is diced pineapple, ginger, oranges, passionfruit pulp & mint leaves. See the recipes below for exact ratios. Make sure you don’t forget the ice!

Ingredients: (serves 6)

• 3 cups diced pineapple, fresh or tinned

• 1 & 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger

• 3 cups fresh orange juice

• 3 cups water

• 1 & 1/2 cups fresh or tinned passionfruit pulp

• 3 tablespoons fresh mint leaves

• ice cubes

Method: If using tinned passionfruit pulp be sure to use a brand with no added sugar. Place all ingredients in a blender on high until pureed. Pour into a bottle to transport with you.

Enjoy these simple but delicious yet healthy recipes! Get creative in the kitchen and leave the pre-packaged stuff at the supermarket.